HAMILTON - For the second week in a row, Virgil Schwarm Stadium in Hamilton hosted an overtime playoff game. And, for the second week in a row, St. Xavier senior quarterback Sean Clifford came off the bench to lead the Bombers to the win. Clifford ran for 171 yards and two touchdowns and was 19-of-27 passing for 229 yards for two more scores as St. Xavier defeated Sycamore 35-28 in one extra period.

Clifford's winning touchdown toss to Andrew Wittrock was the Bombers first lead of a game that was controlled by Sycamore for quite awhile. After not starting, Clifford left Hamilton with a trophy in hand and a smile.

"I wasn't called at the beginning, but when my team called me I knew I had to step up," Clifford said. "I have to give a lot of credit to my offensive line. I couldn't have done it without them. This was a lot fun."

The Bombers have gone from 4-5 and needing a win to sneak into the playoffs to 8-5 and a pair of wins from a Division I state title.

"They don't quit. They keep fighting and keep plugging," a jubilant St. Xavier coach Steve Specht said. "We don't play smart, but we play awful hard."

Sycamore went on a drive that nearly lasted six minutes to start the game after holding St. Xavier to a three and out. A long completion from Jake Borman to Jonathan Malek and a pass interference call on the Bombers put the Aves in prime position. On 3rd down from the 7-yard line, Borman spotted fullback Kyle Fehr alone for the game's first points.

Andrew Marty (7) fights off a would be sack to get off a pass for Wyoming as they fall in the Division IV Region Final at Monroe, November 18, 2016 -- Geoff Blankenship for The Enquirer Geoff Blankenship for The Enquirer

Those would be the only points of the first quarter as St. Xavier was held to just 14 yards of offense. After sputtering much of the second quarter, St. Xavier coach Steve Specht inserted Clifford in for starter Chase Wolf. Clifford broke a couple runs in the late quarter drive and finally trotted right down Broadway for 40 yards to tie the game near the end of the half.

Sycamore responded quickly in the second half with Khalis Hicks taking the opening kickoff 83 yards. Ra'Von Bonner then ran to the 1-yard line and eventually in for the early 14-7 third quarter cushion. Late in the quarter, Borman spotted Malek down the middle for a 53-yard gain. In the red zone again, Sycamore took advantage of a roughing the passer call and Bonner eventually rammed into the end zone for his second touchdown.

To start the final frame, Clifford and the Bombers were in the red zone again. On 3rd and 1 from the 4-yard line, Clifford ran an option and flipped to Jacob Buerkle to creep within one score. St. Xavier would cross into Sycamore territory again, only to be sent back with several penalties. After punter Joshua Glaser pinned the Aves at the 1-yard line, it still looked like a momentum shift for the Bombers.

However. on the next play, Ra'Von Bonner burst through the line and raced 99 yards down the sidelines for a 28-14 advantage. The Aves had a chance later to chew the clock, but a fourth down ill-advised lateral led to good field position for the Bombers. Clifford would make them pay and with just over two minutes left, St. Xavier had an onside kick attempt.

They got it.

"I thought it was a botched call, but it doesn't matter," Sycamore coach Scott Dattilo said later. "We had chances to put the game away and didn't."

Two plays later, Clifford ran loose and spotted Cameron Specht down the left sideline for a touchdown. Kevin Rockwood's extra point tied it at 28.

In the extra period, just like last week against Colerain, Sean Clifford threw a touchdown pass. This one was nine yards to Andrew Wittrock and St. X held their first lead at 35-28.

"I don't care who's in the game, Chase or Sean, both of them can play," Specht said. "They're incredibly talented kids and they both deserve to play."

On Sycamore's possession, the Aves fell short on 4th and 13 with Borman throwing incomplete to the end zone to Khadim Fall. It was Sycamore's first loss since Sept. 30 and St. Xavier's fourth consecutive win. It ended long varsity careers for both Borman and Bonner who have both played over 30 straight games for Scott Dattilo's green and gold. Bonner finished with 210 rushing yards and three scores.

"They have every passing and rushing record for the history of Sycamore," Dattilo said. "They'll be very hard to replace as players and leaders. I just reminded them how proud I was of them, I loved them and I'm there for them in the future."

The Bombers visit the Division I state semifinals and will face Pickerington Central.